Walk puts residents out in the cold

by Staff Writer - Vernon Morning Star posted Feb 1, 2015 at 1:00 AM
Local residents have a chance to walk in the shoes of their neighbours. Vernon’s Upper Room Mission is hosting the third annual Coldest Night of the Year walk Feb. 21. “Taking part in the Coldest Night of the Year will help participants understand the experience of surviving on the streets during a cold Canadian winter,” said Lisa Anderson, URM fundraising director. The event will also raise funds for URM, which provides a number of programs to residents in need, including serving meals three times a day. The walk begins and ends at the Upper Room Mission at 3403 27th Ave. “Donning iconic blue-and-white toques, participants will walk a five or 10-kilometre route, and will warm up with toasty drinks at rest stops along the way,” said Anderson. Once back at the mission, participants will take part in a celebration meal. The goal is to raise $40,000 for the mission’s 2015 food budget. “While we truly appreciate food donations from the public, a food budget allows our food service manager to plan, order and purchase food at wholesale prices,” said Anderson. “Our main focus is to ensure the food we are serving is healthy, nutritious, and up to Canada Food Guide standards.” Among those accessing services at URM are the working poor, the disabled, seniors and the homeless. “We provides up to 300 meals a day, five days a week,” said Anderson. Coldest Night of the Year is sponsored by Sun FM, the Vernon Lions Club and Home Depot. To register a team, visit www.coldestnightoftheyear.org/location/vernon. Anyone wanting to volunteer for the event can also sign up on the website. For more information, call Anderson at 250-549-1231 local 2.